Department for Transport

Children: Cycling

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children aged (1) 8–11, and (2) 11–14, were trained in cycling proficiency at school in each local authority area in England in each of the last five years.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has been funding Bikeability cycle training in schools since 2006/07. The Department for Transport funds training in England and Transport for London funds training in London.   Bikeability training is delivered to children between school years 5-9 (ages 9-14). Bikeability training consists of three levels. Level 1 and Level 2 training is aimed at children aged 9-11 years old and Level 3 training is aimed at children aged 11-14 years old.   Delivery statistics are not collated by age group. However, data on the number of training places delivered for each level of Bikeability training is available from 2012/13 to 2013/14. We have used these data to give an indication of the number of children trained in cycling proficiency at school in each local authority area in England (excluding London) for the age ranges 9-11 years and 11-14 years. Please see the attached tables 1 and 2. The figures are based on information provided by Local Highway Authorities (LHA) and School Games Organiser Host Schools (SGOHS). 



HL2000 - Tables for Bikeability Training
(Word Document, 21.63 KB)

Motorcycles: Noise

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to reduce the noise of motorbikes on public roads.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are already a number of measures in place to control motorcycle noise with manufacturers required to meet strict noise limits. We expect the European Commission to undertake a study of noise from new motorcycles and to make proposals for tougher limits that will apply from 2020. The Department for Transport will take an active role in future discussions, with the European Commission and Member States.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Rural Areas: Local Government Finance

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to assist rural councils that cannot access funding from the Rural Services Delivery Grant in order to ensure that the additional cost of delivery of services in rural areas is adequately resourced.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: In setting the baseline in 2013-14, the Government took into account the additional costs of delivering services in rural areas. It increased the amount distributed through sparsity in the older people's social care need formula, and both the district and county-level environmental, protective and cultural services need formulae. In addition a separate sparsity element was introduced in the fire need formula.The Government believes that all authorities have sufficient resources to deliver adequate services within their areas.

Holiday Accommodation: Safety

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for extending to properties subject to short or holiday lets, such as those via Air BnB, safety provisions such as those set out in the draft Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: DCLG, in conjunction with the tourism sector and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, has produced guidance to help small-scale accommodation providers comply with the Order’s provisions and Airbnb make this available to hosts on its website.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Tickets: Sales

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in setting up the review of consumer protection measures for the secondary ticketing market.

Baroness Neville-Jones: An announcement on who will lead the review, terms of reference and how it will run is expected shortly.

Department for Education

Children: Obesity

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they are taking to assist obese children with sports and exercise alongside food awareness and education.

Lord Nash: Tackling obesity, particularly in children, is one of the government’s priorities. We will put forward our plans for action in this area as part of the childhood obesity strategy. We recognise that schools can help to address the problem of childhood obesity, through focusing on improving physical education (PE) for all children and teaching about food, nutrition and healthy eating.   Since 2013, the government has provided over £300 million of ring-fenced funding to head teachers to improve PE and sport. We are investing a further £150 million this academic year for schools to improve the quality of PE and sport they offer. More than eight in ten schools have seen an increase in pupil engagement with PE during school time and in the number of children doing sports after school.   PE is a compulsory subject at all four key stages in the national curriculum. The PE programme of study aims to ensure that all pupils are physically active for sustained periods of time and lead healthy, active lives. The national curriculum also sets the expectation that children will be taught about healthy eating and what constitutes a balanced diet.  The government-funded Change4Life programme aims to inspire everyone to eat well, take more exercise and live longer. There are a number of campaigns which promote healthy eating and sports such as the 10 Minute Shake Up summer campaign and Change4Life sports clubs. These are extracurricular sports clubs in schools which are designed to increase physical activity levels in the least active children.

Diabetes: Health Education

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they provide to schools to educate teachers and pupils about possible diabetic symptoms.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to introduce lessons in all schools to educate school children about the symptoms of diabetes.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that where it is necessary medical aid is immediately available to diabetic pupils.

Lord Nash: Schools’ responsibilities to support pupils with medical conditions such as diabetes are set out in statutory guidance which is published online. The guidance helps to ensure that schools take action to support pupils and help parents feel confident that the right support will be put in place, typically through an individual health care plan. The guidance was drafted with support from Diabetes UK and other members of the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance, school leaders, teacher and support staff unions, Department of Health and young people and their parents. The guidance specifies that any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs must have received training. Staff need an understanding of the specific medical conditions they are being asked to deal with, their implications and preventative measures.   Schools are also advised that policies in place to support pupils with medical conditions should set out arrangements for whole-school awareness training so that all staff are aware of the school’s policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions and their role in its implementation. In this regard, Diabetes UK provides helpful information for schools on its website. As part of the primary science curriculum pupils should be taught how to recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function. Teachers can choose to include aspects of diabetes in any part of the curriculum they feel appropriate, such as personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.  In addition to specific support for the medical needs of a pupil with diabetes, all schools should have at least one first aider. The number of first aid personnel will be based on local circumstances, considered as a part of a first aid needs assessment. A qualified first aider must complete a training course and hold a valid certificate. The department publishes health and safety advice for schools and signposts further information on first aid from the Health and Safety Executive.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce a warning system to provide benefit claimants with an opportunity to explain any non-compliance before sanctions are imposed.

Lord Freud: This is already an established part of the process. All claimants are informed of the responsibilities they must fulfil in order to receive benefit, and the consequences of failing to comply. This is done in discussions with work coaches and through the Claimant Commitment. Where it appears a claimant has failed to comply with a particular requirement and the case is being referred to a decision maker, the claimant is asked to provide information they wish to be taken into account, including their reasons for non-compliance, before the imposition of a sanction. Anyone who disagrees with a sanction has the right to appeal.

Jobcentre Plus

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they issue to Jobcentre Plus branches about treating claimants as innocent and deserving unless clearly shown not to be so; and whether they have any plans to amend any such guidance.

Lord Freud: Legislation sets clear entitlement provisions which are used to ensure that benefit is paid correctly to those who claim it. We emphasise in our learning and development packages and the DWP customer charter, that all claimants are treated fairly and with respect. These standards are outlined and published in the DWP Customer Charter on GOV.UK.

Social Security Benefits

Baroness Manzoor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims for (1) Jobseeker’s Allowance, (2) Universal Credit, (3) Disability Living Allowance, (4) Personal Independence Payment, (5) Employment Support Allowance, (6) Income Support, and (7) Carer’s Allowance, were subject to a request for mandatory reconsideration in each year since 2013; how many of those claims were (a) approved, and (b) rejected, following the reconsideration process; how many claims that were rejected by the reconsideration process subsequently came before (i) the first-tier tribunal, and (ii) the Upper tribunal; and in each case how many claims were approved.

Lord Freud: The information requested is not available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Department has published data on Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) and the Ministry of Justice on appeals as follows: - Ad hoc statistics on MR receipts and clearance times- Personal Independence Payment statistics- ESA and JSA sanctions- Appeals – all benefits The information will now be placed in the House library. The Department has plans to look into what might be possible to publish on mandatory reconsiderations in the existing regular statistical publications, including information on outcomes. As each publication is ready, DWP statisticians will pre-announce the improvements in accordance with the UKSA release protocols.

Social Security Benefits

Baroness Manzoor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the support given to those of working age living in a household subject to the benefit cap; how many of those people received employment support: and how many of those receiving employment support moved into work in 2014 and 2015.

Lord Freud: Since April 2012 Jobcentre Plus has been supporting claimants potentially affected by the benefit cap to ensure they receive the help they need to move closer to the labour market. Management Information was collected from pre-implementation in May 2012 to November 2013 showing approximately 35,800 people living in potentially capped households had accepted an offer of support. More recent information on the number of people living in capped households who have received employment support and on how many of them have moved into work is not readily available but employment support continues to be available.Since the cap was introduced in April 2013, more than 16,000 previously capped households have entered work, as defined by an open Working Tax Credit claim. A suite of evaluation was published on 15 December 2014 finding those affected by the benefit cap were 41 per cent more likely to go into work, as defined by having an open Working Tax Credit claim, than a similar group with benefit entitlement just under the cap level. 38 per cent of those capped said they were doing more to find work.

Employment and Support Allowance

Baroness Manzoor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost of travel to (1) hospital appointments, (2) Work Capability Assessment appointments, and (3) Jobcentre Plus appointments, for recipients of Employment Support Allowance in the work-related activity group.

Lord Freud: The Department of Health does not collect data centrally on the cost of travel to hospital appointments; this is a matter for local NHS organisations.The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme is part of the NHS Low Income Scheme, and was set up to provide financial assistance to those patients who do not have a medical need for Hospital or ambulance transport, but who require assistance with their travel costs. The scheme is run locally by the NHS and is funded from local budgets rather than centrally forming part of the overall NHS cash Allocation. All claimants that attend an appointment for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) are entitled to claim back any reasonable travel costs incurred. The Department does not break down the cost of travel to WCA for recipients of Employment and Support Allowance to Work Related Activity Group level but, per claimant, in total, that has actually made a claim for expenses, during the period March 2015 to May 2015 the average cost was between £8.75 - £8.90 Claimants that attend an appointment at a jobcentre are refunded travel costs in appropriate circumstances. The Department does not break down the cost of travel to jobcentres for recipients of Employment and Support Allowance to Work Related Activity Group level.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Expert Committee on Pesticides

Lord Strasburger: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Expert Committee on Pesticides has not published the agenda for its meeting on 7 July and the minutes of its meeting on 20 May; and what involvement they had, if any, in the decision not to publish those documents.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Expert Committee on Pesticides published the agenda for the 7 July meeting and the minutes of its meeting of 20 May on 23 July 2015.

National Parks

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have not yet taken a decision about extending the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks in the light of the 2013 inspector’s report on the public inquiry; and when the decision will be taken.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Secretary of State is giving careful consideration to the inspector’s report on the inquiry into proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks and will issue her decisions in due course.

National Parks

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the amount of government, public-sector and third-sector funding and resources expended so far on preparing for and considering the revision of National Park boundaries.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: For clarity, the costs referred to here are for the preparation and consideration of proposals for boundary variations to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.   The costs to Defra to date, including for the public inquiry, are £122,360. This includes Planning Inspectorate costs, the cost of an inquiry manager, notice of the inquiry, and the costs of venues for the inquiry. In addition, there are costs of staff time which have not been quantified.   The estimated costs to Natural England are £490,000 since 2009. This includes the costs of extensive technical assessments of the areas concerned and the production of detailed reports, public and statutory consultations, printing costs, and the costs to Natural England of the public inquiry. It does not include staff costs.   No estimate has been made of any funding and resources expended by the third sector.

National Parks

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to announce their decision on the revision of National Park boundaries.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Following the public inquiry into proposals to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, the inspector has submitted his report to Defra. The Secretary of State is considering the report and will issue her decisions in due course.

Independent Rural Proofing Implementation Review

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Rural Proofing Implementation Review; and when they expect to report fully on that progress.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Ministers are currently carefully considering the recommendations made in the review. The Government response will be published in the autumn.

Birds of Prey: Conservation

Viscount Ridley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, of the 12 hen harrier nesting attempts in England in 2015, how many of (1) the six failed nests, and (2) the six successful nests, were on land in an area where the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds had primary control over access to the nests.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The table below sets out monitoring arrangements and outcomes for the 12 hen harrier nesting attempts in England in 2015.   NestLandownerNest monitored byOutcomeNotes 1Private landownerLocal raptor workersChicks Fledged 2Private landownerLocal raptor workersChicks Fledged 3Natural EnglandNatural EnglandChicks Fledged 4Forestry CommissionForestry Commission/RSPB/Natural EnglandChicks Fledged 5Forestry CommissionForestry Commission/RSPB/Natural EnglandChicks Fledged 6United UtilitiesRSPBChicks Fledged 7United UtilitiesRSPBNest failedMale disappeared8United UtilitiesRSPBNest failedMale disappeared9United UtilitiesRSPBNest failedMale disappeared10United UtilitiesRSPBNest failedMale disappeared11United Utilities RSPBNest failedPredation12RSPBRSPBNest failedMale disappeared

Cetaceans: Faroe Islands

Lord Taylor of Goss Moor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of the Faroe Islands to discourage the annual killing of dolphins and pilot whales in the Faroe Islands.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The UK Government continues to raise its opposition to the hunting of dolphins and pilot whales with the Government of the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity.   Most recently, in June 2015 the UK Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) wrote to the Danish and Faroese Governments to re-iterate our concerns over the welfare and sustainability of their hunts. This follows a visit to the Faroe Islands in March, during which the [then] Secretary of State for Scotland raised the UK’s concerns with the Faroese Prime Minister. Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Denmark has also previously visited the Faroe Islands and raised the issue in a meeting with the Faroese Prime Minister and Fisheries Ministry officials. Further, in his address to the International Whaling Commission meeting in September 2014, the Minister of State for farming, food and marine environment, George Eustice, stressed the UK's strong support for finding alternatives to hunting and for improving the conservation and welfare of cetaceans globally.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost of operational and policing requirements for each badger killed under the culling programme.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Defra has published on gov.uk the total operational and policing costs to Defra for the licensed culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire in 2013 and 2014, and total number of badgers culled. We do not have a breakdown of operational or policing costs for each individual badger killed.

Home Office

Crime: Disability

Lord Bassam of Brighton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many disability hate crimes have been reported in the United Kingdom in each year since 2010; and how many of those have been successfully prosecuted, broken down by the year of reporting.

Lord Bates: The Home Office has collected information on the number of disability hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales since 2011/12. In 2011/2012, the number recorded was 1,757, with 1,843 in 2012/13 and 1,985 in 2013/14. The Home Office does not collect prosecutions data.Further information on hate crimes can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crimes-england-and-wales-2013-to-2014(1) The College of Policing (as the professional body for policing) issues Authorised Professional Practice or ‘APP’. This is the official source of professional practice on policing and police officers and staff are expected to have regard to APP in discharging their responsibilities. Disability hate crime training is referenced throughout a number of APP issued by the College, including investigations and public order. In May 2014, the College also published specific Hate Crime Operational Guidance.(2) CPS have created a training support package focused on disability hate crime and reflecting refreshed legal guidance on disability hate crime. This was piloted on 17 July and is currently being rolled out to all CPS Areas. The aim of the training is to provide prosecutors in CPS Areas with guidance on the key elements of prosecuting disability hate crime, resulting in greater confidence in handling cases and improved prosecution performance. The training has been mandated for all Area prosecutors and will be concluded by the end of the calendar year.The Government is currently speaking to a number of organisations and individuals to inform the next steps in our strategy to both raise awareness and encourage reporting of disability hate crime. This includes work with the Fulfilling Potential Forum, which is led by the Office for Disability Issues within DWP and is made up of around 40 disability charities, including disabled people’s user led organisations.



HO Stats Bulletin - Hate Crimes England and Wales 
(PDF Document, 695.45 KB)

Crime: Disability

Lord Bassam of Brighton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training programmes regarding disability hate crime are available to (1) United Kingdom police forces, and (2) Crown Prosecution Service staff.

Lord Bates: The Home Office has collected information on the number of disability hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales since 2011/12. In 2011/2012, the number recorded was 1,757, with 1,843 in 2012/13 and 1,985 in 2013/14. The Home Office does not collect prosecutions data.Further information on hate crimes can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crimes-england-and-wales-2013-to-2014(1) The College of Policing (as the professional body for policing) issues Authorised Professional Practice or ‘APP’. This is the official source of professional practice on policing and police officers and staff are expected to have regard to APP in discharging their responsibilities. Disability hate crime training is referenced throughout a number of APP issued by the College, including investigations and public order. In May 2014, the College also published specific Hate Crime Operational Guidance.(2) CPS have created a training support package focused on disability hate crime and reflecting refreshed legal guidance on disability hate crime. This was piloted on 17 July and is currently being rolled out to all CPS Areas. The aim of the training is to provide prosecutors in CPS Areas with guidance on the key elements of prosecuting disability hate crime, resulting in greater confidence in handling cases and improved prosecution performance. The training has been mandated for all Area prosecutors and will be concluded by the end of the calendar year.The Government is currently speaking to a number of organisations and individuals to inform the next steps in our strategy to both raise awareness and encourage reporting of disability hate crime. This includes work with the Fulfilling Potential Forum, which is led by the Office for Disability Issues within DWP and is made up of around 40 disability charities, including disabled people’s user led organisations.



HO Stats Bulletin - Hate Crimes England & Wales
(PDF Document, 695.45 KB)

Crime: Disability

Lord Bassam of Brighton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to (1) raise awareness of disability hate crimes, and (2) encourage the reporting of disability hate crimes, in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bates: The Home Office has collected information on the number of disability hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales since 2011/12. In 2011/2012, the number recorded was 1,757, with 1,843 in 2012/13 and 1,985 in 2013/14. The Home Office does not collect prosecutions data.Further information on hate crimes can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crimes-england-and-wales-2013-to-2014(1) The College of Policing (as the professional body for policing) issues Authorised Professional Practice or ‘APP’. This is the official source of professional practice on policing and police officers and staff are expected to have regard to APP in discharging their responsibilities. Disability hate crime training is referenced throughout a number of APP issued by the College, including investigations and public order. In May 2014, the College also published specific Hate Crime Operational Guidance.(2) CPS have created a training support package focused on disability hate crime and reflecting refreshed legal guidance on disability hate crime. This was piloted on 17 July and is currently being rolled out to all CPS Areas. The aim of the training is to provide prosecutors in CPS Areas with guidance on the key elements of prosecuting disability hate crime, resulting in greater confidence in handling cases and improved prosecution performance. The training has been mandated for all Area prosecutors and will be concluded by the end of the calendar year.The Government is currently speaking to a number of organisations and individuals to inform the next steps in our strategy to both raise awareness and encourage reporting of disability hate crime. This includes work with the Fulfilling Potential Forum, which is led by the Office for Disability Issues within DWP and is made up of around 40 disability charities, including disabled people’s user led organisations.



HO Stats Bulletin - Hate Crimes Eng & Wales 
(PDF Document, 695.45 KB)

Police Authorities

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost of each police authority in England and Wales in 2011–12.

Lord Bates: The Government does not collate centrally information in respect of the cost of the former Police Authorities or of the Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, it is the responsibility of PCCs to determine how each police area’s funding settlement is allocated, including setting the police force budget and the running of the PCC’s office.The 2011 Act specifies that PCCs must publish key information as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 (and amended in 2012) sets out what information must be published: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/3050/contents/madeThe publication of this information enables the local electorate to judge whether the PCC is making the best use of public money at the ballot box.PCCs perform a completely different role from the old Police Authorities they replaced. PCCs are providing accountable, visible leadership, and making a real difference to policing locally.The Home Affairs Select Committee recognised in their 2014 report that individual PCCs are providing greater clarity of leadership for policing in their areas, and are increasingly recognised for the strategic direction they are providing. In contrast, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found, in 2010, that only four of the 22 police authorities inspected were judged to have performed well in two of their primary functions: setting strategic direction and ensuring value for money.



SI -The Elected Local Policing Bodies - Order 2011
(PDF Document, 50.74 KB)

Police: Weapons

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what current legal controls are in place to prevent police forces from deploying weapons that are not officially authorised for use by the Home Office.

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the current Code of Practice on the Police use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons specifically prohibits the Metropolitan Police Service from deploying water cannons; and whether that Code of Practice is binding upon chief constables.

Lord Bates: The Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons 2003, made under section 39A of the Police Act 1996 determines the framework by which police forces use both conventional firearms and less lethal weapons. The Authorised Professional Practice on the Use of Force, Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons clearly states that “only less lethal weapons that have been approved by the Secretary of State may be used by the UK police service.” Water cannon is classed as a less lethal weapon and the Home Secretary’s decision not to authorise its use followed the established authorisation process.The deployment of water cannon by police forces in England and Wales is therefore prohibited.

Cabinet Office

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have made of the number of United Kingdom citizens resident within the rest of the European Union; and what level of confidence they have of the accuracy of that estimate.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have made of the number of United Kingdom citizens currently employed within the rest of the European Union; and what level of confidence they have of the accuracy of that estimate.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of United Kingdom citizens resident outside the European Union; how many of those citizens they estimate to hold dual nationality; and what level of confidence they have of the accuracy of those estimates.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UK Statistics Reply 
(PDF Document, 65.42 KB)

Cybercrime

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the next United Kingdom Cyber Security Strategy will outline the steps they plan to take to address cyber breaches and protect the United Kingdom economy from the threat of cyber attack.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The UK Cyber Security Strategy, published in November 2011, sets out how the UK will support economic prosperity, protect national security and safeguard the public’s way of life by building a more trusted and resilient digital environment. The next UK Cyber Security Strategy will continue this work and will include steps to address cyber breaches and protect the UK economy from cyber attack.

Cybercrime

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the process of conducting the forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review, they considered creating a new stand-alone government office for National Cyber Security, the purpose of which would be to manage the cyber security programme and continue to develop the public sector–private sector partnership.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The Strategic Defence and Security Review will look comprehensively at cyber security. We cannot speculate on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.The Government is already focusing its efforts on building partnerships with industry, academia and international partners. The benefits of stable and secure cyberspace show the need for shared responsibility in improving the UK’s cyber security.

Government Departments: Statistics

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all government departments have now adopted the Office for National Statistics rural-urban classification in their analyses of data and evidence.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UK Statistics Reply 
(PDF Document, 58.27 KB)

Department of Health

Health Services: Travellers

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of each of the recommendations to the Department of Health in the report Bridging the Gap between Academics and Policy Makers by researchers from Buckinghamshire New University and the University of Bristol, published on 20 April.

Lord Prior of Brampton: We have made no assessment.   NHS England, and all National Health Service organisations, have a duty to have due regard to the need to reduce health inequalities in access to health services and health outcomes achieved, as well as having regard to the different needs of groups with characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010.   As part of its contractual arrangements for provision of healthcare in prisons, NHS England expects that care planning and delivery of services must be equitable for all prisoners and take into consideration the diversity of the prison population. This would include Gypsies, Travellers and the Roma communities.   The Equality Delivery System (EDS) for the NHS helps all NHS organisations, in discussion with local partners and patients, to review and improve their performance for people with characteristics protected under the Equality Act. By using the EDS, NHS organisations can ensure they are delivering on the public sector Equality Duty.   Every person entering a place of detention will have an initial health screen at reception where health needs are assessed and where appropriate referrals are made to other services, including substance misuse services.

Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 21 July (HL1204), whether they plan to publish (1) their plans to improve the health outcomes of people with Type 1 diabetes; and (2) the degrees of improvement at annual intervals.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Diabetes is a clear priority for this Government and we are in the early stages of developing plans to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes. For example, we are considering improvements in the management and care of people with diabetes which would focus equally on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.   Whilst there is still more to do in terms of reducing variation in the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care processes and achievement of the treatment targets, we are now beginning to see the benefits of incentivising these through the Quality and Outcomes Framework in terms of reductions in complications and premature mortality.   The most recent National Diabetes Audit data shows that the relative risk for someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes developing heart failure is significantly reduced. There are also clear trends in the reduction of the relative risk of developing angina, heart attack, stroke, major amputation and end stage kidney disease. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that the United Kingdom has the lowest rates of early death due to diabetes of the 19 wealthy countries included in the analysis.   The National Diabetes Audit 2012–2013 Report 2: Complications and Mortality provides data on health outcomes for those with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes on an annual basis allowing comparisons between the two types to be made.   NHS England is developing a sample service specification on the transition from children and young people diabetes services to adult services for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to use if they so choose. This will benefit those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, a sample diabetes service specification was published in July 2014, which aimed to highlight the specific care needs of those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those with Type 2. However, NHS England currently has no plans to publish plans for a programme of work to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes.   NHS England has also recently agreed to extend the roll out of its Right Care programme to all CCGs over the next four years. This will ensure that, where local diabetes services and outcomes are poorer compared to demographic peers, suitable improvement programmes will be implemented, with the learning shared across all CCGs.

Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 21 July (HL1204), what outcomes have been achieved through the incentives in the Quality and Outcomes Framework regarding the care and treatment of those with Type 1 diabetes.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Diabetes is a clear priority for this Government and we are in the early stages of developing plans to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes. For example, we are considering improvements in the management and care of people with diabetes which would focus equally on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.   Whilst there is still more to do in terms of reducing variation in the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care processes and achievement of the treatment targets, we are now beginning to see the benefits of incentivising these through the Quality and Outcomes Framework in terms of reductions in complications and premature mortality.   The most recent National Diabetes Audit data shows that the relative risk for someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes developing heart failure is significantly reduced. There are also clear trends in the reduction of the relative risk of developing angina, heart attack, stroke, major amputation and end stage kidney disease. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that the United Kingdom has the lowest rates of early death due to diabetes of the 19 wealthy countries included in the analysis.   The National Diabetes Audit 2012–2013 Report 2: Complications and Mortality provides data on health outcomes for those with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes on an annual basis allowing comparisons between the two types to be made.   NHS England is developing a sample service specification on the transition from children and young people diabetes services to adult services for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to use if they so choose. This will benefit those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, a sample diabetes service specification was published in July 2014, which aimed to highlight the specific care needs of those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those with Type 2. However, NHS England currently has no plans to publish plans for a programme of work to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes.   NHS England has also recently agreed to extend the roll out of its Right Care programme to all CCGs over the next four years. This will ensure that, where local diabetes services and outcomes are poorer compared to demographic peers, suitable improvement programmes will be implemented, with the learning shared across all CCGs.

Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the disparity of outcomes in Type 1 diabetes care and Type 2 diabetes care.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Diabetes is a clear priority for this Government and we are in the early stages of developing plans to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes. For example, we are considering improvements in the management and care of people with diabetes which would focus equally on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.   Whilst there is still more to do in terms of reducing variation in the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care processes and achievement of the treatment targets, we are now beginning to see the benefits of incentivising these through the Quality and Outcomes Framework in terms of reductions in complications and premature mortality.   The most recent National Diabetes Audit data shows that the relative risk for someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes developing heart failure is significantly reduced. There are also clear trends in the reduction of the relative risk of developing angina, heart attack, stroke, major amputation and end stage kidney disease. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that the United Kingdom has the lowest rates of early death due to diabetes of the 19 wealthy countries included in the analysis.   The National Diabetes Audit 2012–2013 Report 2: Complications and Mortality provides data on health outcomes for those with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes on an annual basis allowing comparisons between the two types to be made.   NHS England is developing a sample service specification on the transition from children and young people diabetes services to adult services for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to use if they so choose. This will benefit those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, a sample diabetes service specification was published in July 2014, which aimed to highlight the specific care needs of those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those with Type 2. However, NHS England currently has no plans to publish plans for a programme of work to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes.   NHS England has also recently agreed to extend the roll out of its Right Care programme to all CCGs over the next four years. This will ensure that, where local diabetes services and outcomes are poorer compared to demographic peers, suitable improvement programmes will be implemented, with the learning shared across all CCGs.

Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 24 July (HL1407), whether they plan to publish their plans to improve the management and care of people with diabetes, including reducing variation in outcomes, within 12 months.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Diabetes is a clear priority for this Government and we are in the early stages of developing plans to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes. For example, we are considering improvements in the management and care of people with diabetes which would focus equally on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.   Whilst there is still more to do in terms of reducing variation in the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care processes and achievement of the treatment targets, we are now beginning to see the benefits of incentivising these through the Quality and Outcomes Framework in terms of reductions in complications and premature mortality.   The most recent National Diabetes Audit data shows that the relative risk for someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes developing heart failure is significantly reduced. There are also clear trends in the reduction of the relative risk of developing angina, heart attack, stroke, major amputation and end stage kidney disease. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that the United Kingdom has the lowest rates of early death due to diabetes of the 19 wealthy countries included in the analysis.   The National Diabetes Audit 2012–2013 Report 2: Complications and Mortality provides data on health outcomes for those with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes on an annual basis allowing comparisons between the two types to be made.   NHS England is developing a sample service specification on the transition from children and young people diabetes services to adult services for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to use if they so choose. This will benefit those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, a sample diabetes service specification was published in July 2014, which aimed to highlight the specific care needs of those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those with Type 2. However, NHS England currently has no plans to publish plans for a programme of work to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes.   NHS England has also recently agreed to extend the roll out of its Right Care programme to all CCGs over the next four years. This will ensure that, where local diabetes services and outcomes are poorer compared to demographic peers, suitable improvement programmes will be implemented, with the learning shared across all CCGs.

Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that those with Type 1 diabetes meet similar targets of recommended care processes, blood glucose and cholesterol as those with Type 2 diabetes; and whether they plan to publish full details of such targets within 12 months.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Diabetes is a clear priority for this Government and we are in the early stages of developing plans to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes. For example, we are considering improvements in the management and care of people with diabetes which would focus equally on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.   Whilst there is still more to do in terms of reducing variation in the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence care processes and achievement of the treatment targets, we are now beginning to see the benefits of incentivising these through the Quality and Outcomes Framework in terms of reductions in complications and premature mortality.   The most recent National Diabetes Audit data shows that the relative risk for someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes developing heart failure is significantly reduced. There are also clear trends in the reduction of the relative risk of developing angina, heart attack, stroke, major amputation and end stage kidney disease. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that the United Kingdom has the lowest rates of early death due to diabetes of the 19 wealthy countries included in the analysis.   The National Diabetes Audit 2012–2013 Report 2: Complications and Mortality provides data on health outcomes for those with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes on an annual basis allowing comparisons between the two types to be made.   NHS England is developing a sample service specification on the transition from children and young people diabetes services to adult services for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to use if they so choose. This will benefit those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, a sample diabetes service specification was published in July 2014, which aimed to highlight the specific care needs of those with Type 1 diabetes where they differ from those with Type 2. However, NHS England currently has no plans to publish plans for a programme of work to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 diabetes.   NHS England has also recently agreed to extend the roll out of its Right Care programme to all CCGs over the next four years. This will ensure that, where local diabetes services and outcomes are poorer compared to demographic peers, suitable improvement programmes will be implemented, with the learning shared across all CCGs.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients: Children

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the parents of young people detained by the under the Mental Health Act 1983 can access the same funding as their counterparts whose children are not detained under that Act; and if not, why not.

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the funding available for parents whose children are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 complies with the Equality Act 2010 provisions regarding disability discrimination.

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to review the funding provisions for the parents of children detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, in particular in the light of the number of children held in hospitals that are significant distances away from their homes.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Under the hospital travel costs scheme, parents are eligible to apply for help with travel costs to accompany their children being treated in distant locations. This is means tested. Parents and carers of children detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 may also, in some circumstances, seek additional assistance provided at the discretion of the clinical commissioning group as part of the child’s care package.

Alcoholic Drinks: Consumption

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they propose to publish any updated guidelines on safe drinking limits, following a review by the Chief Medical Officer.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Guidelines Development Group, a group of independent experts, has been tasked with developing lower-risk drinking guidelines for the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers to consider. The Group is currently researching and developing a proposal on the guidelines, including a UK-wide approach for guidance on alcohol and pregnancy. We are expecting to consult on these later in the year.

Death Certificates

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Shipman Inquiry in order to introduce procedures to reform the death certificate system and to allay the fears of those who have lost their loved ones.

Lord Prior of Brampton: We remain committed to these reforms and will provide an update on implementation plans once the Spending Review has been completed.

Dental Services: Children

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 27 July (HL1635), whether they have plans to introduce day surgery appointments for the clearance or extraction of deciduous teeth under general anaesthetic.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Many extractions are already carried out on a day case basis; whether the extraction is carried out as a day case or requires an overnight admission is a matter for the clinicians involved.   NHS England has advised that NHS Lancashire and Greater Manchester have for a number of years commissioned day case surgery as well as overnight admission for children who require a full clearance of deciduous teeth under general anaesthetic.

Care Homes

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of the use of the terms "love" and "darling" in a care home; and whether they have given advice to the Care Quality Commission and local authorities on such matters.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department has made no such assessment.   The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care. All providers of regulated activities must register with CQC and comply with Regulations and a set of fundamental standards of safety and quality.   One of these fundamental standards relates to treating users of services with dignity and respect. The CQC issues guidance to providers on how they should meet the fundamental standards. The guidance on the standard governing dignity and respect includes the following:   - when people receive care and treatment, all staff must treat them with dignity and respect at all times. This includes staff treating them in a caring and compassionate way; and - all communication with people using services must be respectful. This includes using or facilitating the most suitable means of communication and respecting a person's right to engage or not to engage in communication; and - people using the service should be addressed in the way they prefer, and local colloquial terms may fit such guidelines perfectly well.